Browse Articles

Product concept design method for improving user satisfaction based on case-based reasoning

Comparative transcriptomic and biochemical analyses reveal candidate regulatory genes associated with early drought response signatures in contrasting rapeseed (Brassica napus) cultivars

Research on the mechanism of fault sliding casing damage under the effect of water immersion deterioration of rock mass

MicroRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms in cow’s ileum and ileum lymph node in response to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection

Abstract Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne’s disease (JD), a chronic enteritis infection affecting ruminants with significant economic implications for the dairy industry. The molecular regulatory mechanisms governing host responses to MAP infection remain unclear. This study elucidated the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the ileum (IL), ileal lymph node (ILLN), and liver of cows during subclinical MAP infection. Tissues (IL, ILLN, and liver) were collected from four JD-positive (JDP), five MAP-tolerant (MAPT), and five healthy control (HC) cows. MiRNA transcriptomes were analyzed using miRNA-sequencing, differential miRNA expression, correlation, and functional analyses. A total of 441, 405, and 201 miRNAs were identified in IL, ILLN, and liver, respectively, including 12 miRNAs highly expressed across all three tissues. ILLN exhibited more differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, including 20 (JDP vs. HC), 21 (MAPT vs. HC), and 15 (JDP vs. MAPT) than the IL: 17 (JDP vs. HC), 8 (MAPT vs. HC), and 6 (JDP vs. MAPT). MiRNAs DE in both IL and ILLN (bta-miR-146b, bta-miR-375, bta-miR-21-5p, bta-miR-146a, bta-miR-125a, bta-miR-100, bta-miR-147, bta-miR-99a-5p, bta-miR-320 from JDP vs. HC, and bta-miR-146a, bta-let-7b from MAPT vs. HC comparisons) have roles in the immune process suggesting their potential impacts on the host response to MAP infection. The target genes of IL DE miRNAs were overrepresented in more gene ontology terms (68) while those of the ILLN were overrepresented in more pathways (20) demonstrating tissue specificity. In addition, the majority of DE miRNAs and overrepresented functional terms were unique to comparison groups and phenotypes while few were shared by two or more comparison groups and phenotype or infection status. Most of the functional terms such as cytokine receptor activity, regulation of leukocyte mediated immunity, T cell receptor signaling pathway, positive regulation of interleukin-4 production among others, have immune related functions revealing important roles of DE miRNAs in the host immune response to MAP infection. In summary, these findings underscore the pivotal regulatory roles of the identified miRNAs in shaping the host response of cows to JD. Moreover, the results indicated that mostly different sets of miRNAs, biological process and pathways were driving the JDP and MAPT phenotypes, as well as emphasize the tissue-specific nature of the miRNA response to JD, shedding light on the nuanced intricacies of host-pathogen interactions in response to MAP infection.

A smart community interactive art therapy platform based on multimodal computer graphics and resilient artificial intelligence for home-based elderly care

Sustainable xanthan-based superabsorbent hydrogel with enhanced durability for repeated nitrate remediation in drinking water

Altered microRNA profiles and associated pathways in canine mammary adenocarcinoma

Associations of dietary and physical activity behaviors with handgrip strength in middle-aged and older adults: a prospective cohort study

A computed tomography observation of the Unzen lava reveals the frequent existence of vesicles and crystals in proximity

Detecting continuous structural heterogeneity in single molecule localization microscopy data with a point cloud variational auto-encoder

Abstract The low degree of labeling and limited photon count of fluorescent emitters in single molecule localization microscopy results in poor quality images of macro-molecular complexes. Particle fusion provides a single reconstruction with high signal-to-noise ratio by combining many single molecule localization microscopy images of the same structure. The underlying assumption of homogeneity is not always valid, heterogeneity can arise due to geometrical shape variations or distinct conformational states. We introduce a Point Cloud Variational Auto-Encoder that works directly on 2D and 3D localization data, to detect multiple modes of variation in such datasets. The computing time is on the order of a few minutes, enabled by the linear scaling with dataset size, and fast network training in just four epochs. The use of lists of localization data instead of pixelated images leads to just minor differences in computational burden between 2D and 3D cases. With the proposed method, we detected radius variation in 2D Nuclear Pore Complex data, height variations in 3D DNA origami tetrahedron data, and both radius and height variations in 3D Nuclear Pore Complex data. In all cases, the detected variations were on the few nanometer scale.

A multi scale spatial attention based zero shot learning framework for low light image enhancement

Knockout of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 inhibited cell growth and promoted cell migration in human bronchial epithelial cells

Individual tolerances and dynamics of intragroup segregation in a extended Schelling model

A real-world safety analysis of infection-related adverse events associated with belimumab, rituximab, and TNF inhibitors using the FAERS database

A DAG-enabled cryptographic framework for secure drug traceability with identity-bound authentication and anomaly detection

Effect of low 2,4-D concentration on enhancing indirect embryogenesis and genetic stability in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Autonomous Synthesis and Inverse Design of Electrochromic Polymers with High Efficiency and Accuracy

Development of an energy-efficient indirect type dryer using a triangular duct solar air heater with the synergistic effect of pin-fins and discrete V-ribs: A 3-D CFD study

Abstract A high-performance triangular duct solar air heater (TSAH) incorporating discrete V-ribs and pin-fins is numerically analysed to enhance thermo-hydraulic and drying performance for indirect-type solar dryers (ITSD). Three-dimensional CFD simulations are performed for 5000 ≤ Re ≤ 15,000, exploring the effects of pitch ratio (P/e = 5–15), gap width (g/e = 0.2–0.8), and solid/porous pin-fins. Introducing a gap at the V-rib apex increases local turbulence and secondary flow interactions, yielding a Nusselt number enhancement of 3.36 and a friction factor increase of 2.98 for g/e = 0.4 at Re = 5000, resulting in a THPP of 2.35. Integrating porous pin-fins further enhances vortex mixing and thermal interaction, achieving a maximum THPP of 2.68, which surpasses the existing rib geometries. When applied to mushroom drying in an ITSD, the enhanced TSAH delivers higher outlet air temperatures and stronger secondary flow intensity, leading to a 66% reduction in drying time and a 54% increase in effective diffusivity compared to a smooth-plate SAH. The results demonstrate that combining discrete V-ribs with porous pin-fins offers a synergistic improvement in heat transfer, pressure drop balance, and drying kinetics, enabling energy-efficient drying applications.

Seasonal dynamics of plasma estradiol 17β level, gonadosomatic index, and ovarian development in female golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)

Moisture dynamics and ageing in clarinet reeds by neutron radiography

The vibrational behavior of reeds in wind instruments is highly sensitive to their moisture content, yet the underlying hydration dynamics and their relationship to ageing remain poorly understood. In this study, we employ in situ neutron radiography to visualize and quantify internal water distribution in clarinet reeds at three stages of use: pristine, broken-in, and aged. Reeds were subjected to controlled wetting durations followed by drying under ambient conditions to enable time-resolved analysis of moisture uptake and retention. Neutron imaging revealed that water preferentially accumulates in the vamp region due to longitudinally exposed vascular structures, while the stock remains largely dry. Ageing significantly reduces both water uptake and retention capacity. Pristine reeds absorbed water rapidly and uniformly, whereas aged reeds exhibited faster drying; asymmetric moisture distribution; and non-uniform swelling and shrinkage, consistent with structural fatigue. These results demonstrate how repeated use alters hydration behavior and underscore the governing role of anatomical features, such as exposed vascular bundles and parenchyma cells. This study presents the first application of neutron imaging to clarinet reeds, providing spatially resolved insight into internal moisture dynamics. The findings establish a scientific basis for understanding reed break-in and ageing, with implications for performance optimization, reed design, and maintenance practices. Moreover, this work pioneers a novel application of neutron imaging in the study of woodwind instruments, where moisture control critically influences playability and longevity.